Amazon Echo Show 15 review: Alexa gets widgets, Visual ID and a mega screen

[@CNET]

You can see the Amazon Echo Show 15 here: bit.ly/33qrLft *CNET may get a commission from this offer.

[@playadeldiablo]

You don't need to drill 4 more holes to change to Portrait ... You just need to take echo off the wall mount and flip it...

[@shawnryan3196]

I have had it for a few days and I like it . It does have its flaws that will be fixed through software . It looks very good on the wall if you run the power cable behind the sheet rock . The sound is not bad at all . However I use my google nest audio speakers to listen to music . The echo show 15 has lots of potential through software upgrades .

[@travismcleod5078]

So I got mine and I love it. However, I immediately realized pen or stylus input would be great. Being able to hand write digital post it's with a digital pen would be cool and make the device even more personal. Traditional but with a tech spin. Samsung and Apple need to make a version of this and implement their pen and pencil.

[@GreenTea4Me]

Its called a Tablet LOL --Just kidding :) .

[@IanFitzwilliam]

It's clearly not meant to be a tv like display. My guess is it's more meant to be like a smart board/home control system. Not sure why she would think a wall mounted display that's not at television would have any other use? This is for leaving notes, setting the alarm etc.

[@MaximusTheChosenOne]

Bevause that is a big feature of the echo shows It’s in the name lol

[@DariusRoland]

Woah, Woah, Woah. I think what we as loyal CNET viewers really deserve is the full story about this pickle jar bet, and perhaps an accompanying demonstration video! 😁

[@03parham39]

I couldn't care less about the sound quality or camera. This is going to be nice and easy to use as a smart home display. I think they have a great product here. Hopefully they will come out with a smaller one for the wall just like this.

[@The01Arsenal]

what so smart about it? shows weather? i need some smart home compaitable apps

[@staticklingon2182]

@@The01ArsenalI mean, it controls literally everything in the Alexa universe! Your TVs, thermostat, security system, doorbell, lights and smart switches. What’s missing?

[@annette2687]

It's perfect for us seeing our security cameras on a larger screen than our other Echos. For us the widgets and calendar are just a bonus.

[@bankruptsee]

Can you see your cameras at all times on the screen? Or do you have to tell alexa to start watching a camera? This is make it or break it for me. I want live camera feed on the screen at all times

[@famfigueroa3917]

@@bankruptseedid you ever find out?

[@jgreaves333]

I plan to pick one up. There is a great spot on our living room wall for it. We really don't use the camera on any of our Echo shows, and don't care about speaker quality either. I will put it in my existing living room group, which defaults to playing music on Echo speakers in that room. I feel this will be a good replacement for an android tablet we have on a table. It's used to display a family shared calendar, weather, and control smart home devices. As mentioned in the video, hopefully more show 15 widgets will be available in the future. I'd like to see the show 10 get this feature as well.

[@heyDarren]

The orientation can change. The hardware works in either portrait or horizontal.

[@ravenmcchesney8485]

I want it so much! I have a TV, a laptop, cell phone, speakers, etc. what I want is something that can help me organize, put shopping lists on, and entertain me while doing dishes and cooking, and showing me my front door when I need. It would be great if they added apps to it, but it may be that a certain company owns the rights and they can’t. Either way, I have other devices for other needs. This seems so perfect for me. Im getting the swivel arm for the mount though, so I have options on rotation and how to display it.

[@nikaquiambao]

I absolutely love the echo show 15! The sound is a bit lacking in terms of hearing timers, but I can make it louder so I can hear it. My echo device in the kitchen is connected to my sonos speaker. The widgets could be better but they just introduced the widgets feature. So I’m not expecting much right away. I love being able to use Pinterest via the browser, and playing lofi music via KZbin. And that’s where the echo 15 shined. I was able to read recipes while cooking without having to use an iPad and worrying about battery life. I could use Picture in Picture with my ring doorbell. Which helps when waiting for my sons school bus. I have multiple Alexa devices in each room and this one is my favorite. If this is your first Alexa device, I’d probably say to get the 10. But if you have multiple devices, this one is really great.

[@Minaru16]

So KZbin ist possible? Then it's for me

[@DaniousBR]

Hi Nika. How have you connected your echo to your sonos speakers? I have an echo in my living room and a sonos play 3, but alexa can only play music on sonos, alexa voice is only played on the echo itself.

[@ALEJANDR01D782]

I love you’re review as this is what am looking for too and it seems like the CNET reviewer focused a bit too much on the flaws mainly the mounting like multiple times. Thanks so much.

[@jameslee2215]

Excellent review. I purchased one to use as a small TV in my small living room where I don’t have room for a TV. I can keep it on my end table and move it to my coffee table when I want to stream Netflix, Amazon Prime. I can also view my webcams in the house. A bonus was that Amazon gave me 25% off by trading in my first generation Echo Dot. I also earn credit by using my Amazon credit card which further reduces the price.

[@andrewjohnson1486]

This looks like a miniature TV and so good of Amazon to design its own chipset in association with Mediatek. Looks awesome.

[@bradkrekelberg8624]

The marketing strategy here makes good sense to me. It costs the same as the 10 BECAUSE they skimped on the camera and speakers. I appreciate the low price, compared to what it may have cost of they'd given it the best of everything, for a much larger smart display. And wall-mount capability is what I've always wanted from smart displays. If I ever need a better camera for whatever reason, we have an 8 too. Need better speakers? Bluetooth it to your sound bar. Done.

[@Stephan905]

Yeah, but some of us expected the show 15 to be the ultimate smart display. I thought the removal of the swivel motor, camera downgrade and lack of subwoofer would be all the compromises. I was surprised to see this not include a Zigbee hub (like every other echo show), and while I expected lower quality sound, this is well below expectations for a device this large

[@jojobegin]

I agree with you. Sound can be played through an alternate paired device and I take pictures with a camera or my phone.

[@4daluvofnikki]

One correction to this video. The presenter said once you put it on the wall you are stuck with that orientation. That is incorrect. I watched a reviewer post a video showing that you can disconnect the device from the wall bracket and turn it to the other orientation. The bracket stays attached to the wall, but you can detach the device from the bracket and change its orientation. However, she is correct it does not rotate.

[@wpowell9080]

I own one and love it. So, many things that Show 15 does great that are not even mentioned.

[@aaf709]

I got it partly because the cats love to push my 5" Show into the litter box. I believe you can re-orient it by simply by lifting it out of the wall mount and rotating it 90 degrees. I didn't buy it for sound, I can use a Bluetooth speaker if I want that. I really like the widgets and it has potential. One improvement I'd do with the mount would be to change the holes to curved slots in case you need to tweak it. As for holes in the wall, that's what spackle is for.

[@ALEJANDR01D782]

Thanks for your review as it seems the CNET reviewer was really against mounting and didn’t think to lift and reorient as you mentioned. This was really helpful.

[@entox.]

@@ALEJANDR01D782 … why is your Show anywhere near the litter box in the first place?

[@Sheerahboom87]

Echo show 10 sound is the best ❤for some reason and it’s more exciting cause it follows where you go perfect for the kitchen esp when your cooking it follows very friendly . My kids love it so much ❤

[@schmoogen]

This audio demo is the proper way of demonstrating the difference between devices.

[@SecretOfMonkeyIsland784]

Other reviewers pointed out that the supplied power cable is only 1m in length so incredibly short so this heavily restricts mounting locations.

[@peterpowis4145]

a short extension lead- that's what i've got in mind for when mine arrives

[@TropicalArtPaganMxVideos]

I just ordered mine I can’t wait I love the idea of calendar, reminders and notes and all the other benefits that comes with it is super special to me.

[@darrylbyrdsr6722]

As an IT Professional, Great concept, great appearance, like Shawn said, with software upgrades, it will or should improve in time. Like Travis said, a stylus would also be great for those that would rather doodle notes then to ask Alexa to make note of it. The four screw concept is not needed, you can mount a car on the wall with four screws in studs. We should be able to full screen all widgets and more third party widgets. The mount, we should be able to pull out of a locked position that’s spring loaded, twist it vertically then set into place. It should at least have that option. The Camera, “Really”, they can use the Echo 10” 12 Mega Pixel camera since they use it anyways. I guess we can cross our fingers in hopes this all happens soon.

[@JayDee-xj9lu]

Without a close look. Could you just use one screw with a large washer in the centre of the mount a pivot it? I wouldn't need to lock .

[@CH-eg5rd]

If you can't spare any countertop space then buy this. Otherwise the Gen 3 Show 10 is a no brainer. Not having to stand in a particular spot to view info on the screen is a game changer. If they built a Smart Mirror then I could see the utility of having a wall mounted echo.

[@KholtMoore]

I feel like it would work great in a home office smart calendar. I hope Google comes out with something similar!

[@IanFitzwilliam]

Would love a Google version of this for sure

[@arthurthecartoon]

My exact same thoughts! "Please Google release a wall display, I have a wall space waiting for you"

[@Onemoresandeep]

Actually I was thinking of mounting an Android tablet somehow (similar budget) as an alternative, then saw this comment. Would it serve the purpose?

[@TheBeansChopper]

@@Onemoresandeep well this comes with an integrated presence detector so it will automatically turn off when you are outside of the room. The tablet will require additional hardware to achieve the same and also probably be a couple of inches smaller. You're also going to need a decent wall mount which is expensive if you don't get the cheapest bulky version yuo can find. So all in all I am considering this a pretty interesting all-in-one package for the same purpose

[@SaifKhan-pz2cp]

@@Onemoresandeep bro the major problem with tablets is they aren't built to run 24/7 like the smart displays, the display quality certainly depreciates and one of my tab died due to motherboard failure when I literally did the same, plus tabs got battery in them and hence need to be discharged as well making the overall experience cumbersome.

[@TwistedTriggerEnduro]

All of a sudden I am thinking how did we ever use Alexa without a screen? 😃👍

[@beekaye1496]

I will wait another 3 years when they bring a better sound and much better interface as you mentioned.

[@SilvioSangineto]

You forgot the main difference. In the smaller version you don't have a fire tv with access to many streaming video services. It is a huge difference, that's why it is on a bigger screen!

[@ianjohn5404]

I like this presenter. Good job cnet, good review.

[@ericyoung3183]

It has magnified the way of experiencing music. The visual treatment has been enhanced with the Mediatek chipsets.

[@zachtravers]

I really like the idea, but the decreased sound quality is a problem to me. I wonder if it has an aux output like my echo show 8 does so you can connect to bookshelf speakers to increase the sound, if that was the case I'd consider it more.

[@matteo784]

you can still connect it to speakers with Bluetooth

[@WaynoGur]

Probably Bluetooth.

[@jessicamergen]

I really appreciate this product, and I’m actually planning to purchase it. To me this looks like it will fill all of the needs that I originally wanted on my echo show 8, namely to be a home control center for my kitchen. I want something that will at glance showing me chore reminders, grocery list, calendar, and other important items. I want these all on the screen all the time. I feel to me they are exactly targeting what I needed, and I suspect other homes near as well. I really don’t need to have overwhelming sound and camera in my kitchen. And like another user if I need better sound I can simply attach a Bluetooth speaker, which I already own. I feel like this review was based on assumptions that this echo was supposed to be exactly like all of the others. When clearly Amazon is making strides at finding markets for their smart devices. Not all users are going to like all of the devices which is why having different versions with different features is a perfect way to go. And I really appreciate the price point here, I was looking at a few other similar devices and they are priced well out of my league. I’m excited to purchase one or perhaps I’ll get one for Christmas!

[@staticklingon2182]

I want a review showing that it does all this! Because that’s exactly what I want.

[@ragingsilver]

I was looking for something like this for my new home. I might wait for a 2nd gen and hopefully they make it slimmer and have more widgets.

[@jodp]

The UI seems outdated, but overall, seems like a great product. Don’t like that third-party widgets are not supported tho. I’ve got multiple services running on my home that I’d really like to integrate on something like this.

[@JosephDubois1]

I like the sound comparison sequence. Great review! Thank you for your great work. Cheers!

[@jojobegin]

I bought it for the ability to announce to my kids (on their echos) when dinner is ready or to remind them we have to leave in a few, whatever. There is lots of room for improvements. It seems to glitch and I have had to restart a couple of times. I do like that it is hooked up to my blink cameras and I can quick view all cameras. I don’t care about the camera because it will never be used for one. Nor the sound quality. I have my Bose system for that and guess what, the show 15 pairs with the Alexa show 15. So any music I want I can have. There are recipes (hope there will be more options). I don’t like how the calendar is a really big widget and wish you could just what you want to add and how big. All and all I think I will be happy. It is much heavier and bigger than I imagined but the smaller things like this are the more you pay so it’s great for the price.

[@LILC63]

I would personally recommend the echo show 8, it’s portable and has a slightly bigger screen than the echo 5, and the echo show 10’s twisting feature has proved to be really annoying, and the 15 is too big and can’t be moved about without the extra $30 stand

[@envisagecyan2027]

I keep mine on a stand and not on the wall so I can rotate it and move to other places as needed. Like the larger screen size

[@I-hypocrite-I]

This is perfect, combined with home assistant this will be a power house!

[@RoskiProductions]

thank's for the review!!! the sound was a total dealbreaker for me ! thanks!

[@emanon9112]

You’re actually wrong about the orientation of the mount the mount stays in one place and you can remove to landscape and portrait the show at any time

[@PCVMoldova]

I am purchasing this as a "Family Information Kiosk." Some place where I can quickly check the weather (or the stock market) before going out the door. A prominent place to put the kids' chore lists where they can no longer claim they didn't see it. Apps for our favorite take-out places where placing a take-out order is easy. That kind of stuff.

[@SpikeTiger]

does the display have standard VESA mounting holes to use an adjustable monitor arm as a stand?

[@KioMilenium]

It seems like it does

[@JS5074]

The holes she drilled look close

[@charlesverrier4008]

Yes - there are VESA 100mm holes on the back which can be used instead of the wall mount (which is basically a big sturdy hook)

[@HiFiInsider]

the power cord ruins the look.

[@GTO20122012]

You can connect it to a Bluetooth speaker for sound if that’s what’s stoping you from getting one

[@1pt21gw]

Amazon really needs to work on their hardware… There doesn’t seem to be a reason why it’s so thickkkk

[@irishcountrygirl78]

.....heavy too...

[@hybridangel3403]

Is it to do with creating the bass effect.

[@jakeyboy2929]

You are never going to get bass from something thin

[@b2bgood870]

​@@jakeyboy2929right😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@ShaunaStewart-h8g]

Just ordered one. Excited because it will be mounted underneath a cabinet in the kitchen. I will be cool to watch prime or follow a recipe on Pinterest on a larger screen in the kitchen. Sound or camera quality isn't important for my use.

[@MsRockingIt]

I exactly wanted one mounted for the wall so I wasn't using useless paper calendars and paper lists that made a mess of the fridge - so this would thus serve as the digital command centre I desperately needed for me and family! Bad sound? Who cares! I have other devices for that, otherwise surely it can bluetooth to a better sounding speaker 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@bencassidy9058]

You can rotate screen without drilling more holes you just unhook it and place how you want it landscape / portrait the bracket it a square great design .

[@Le_Sourpuss]

To have a big screen with proper speakers, the only solutions is to separate them. (to have the screen on the wall and the speaker as the normal echo 4th gen - for instance)

[@robertchittenden6364]

Thanks for saving me from a costly mistake. I would still want this or something like it once sound and camera are upgraded.

[@mobleyMobley]

Connect it to external bluetooth speaker, camera is more than fine for video chat.

[@goodhudson8732]

Agreed. The underwhelming speaker makes this a no go

[@mmarjisr]

I liked the pros and cons on this video it seems the echo show 10 It is a much better product than the 8 or the 15th

[@kristianlarsen471]

Th for the video 👍I need an easy and fast overview of all family members at the same time. Can it do that or do you need to scroll and push on every persons seperate calendar?

[@Realroyrogers]

$30 mount was the deal breaker

[@tabithadelk1441]

Thank you for this video. You really helping me made my decision. I think I’ll just hold out on the next model that comes out.

[@hmongkieyaaj1491]

I’ve owned the show 10 and wasn’t impressed with the small screen and didn’t have use of the rotating feature either. Just ordered the show 15 and plan to pair it with a Sony Bluetooth speaker for better audio quality plus purchase a stand for the dining room.

[@rauldelisrodriguez2192]

Just wanted to stop by, and say how cute you are.

[@ericyoung3183]

Got me going crazy! Love the specs including the processor, which is a nice combo of amazon and mediatek.

[@wookori]

I think the best way to use this is to put it on a fully adjustable monitor mount attached to a wall.

[@mdc_008]

That’s what I plan on doing with mine.

[@anitarichmond8930]

That is the reason I’m looking into buying the echo show 15 to put on the wall in my kitchen 👍

[@tmaschm]

I’m happy they brought the widgets, but the main reason I’d want the smart delay is much more advanced and custom weather and this doesn’t have it.

[@diegoasp0821]

Great review! I like the echo show 15, and I have a echo show 8 and I think it's very good too.

[@naiyahp]

I have the show 10 and it’s volume quality is super good

[@pianokeyjoe]

The thing I enjoyed the most of this review was the vlogger and that electronic tune used to demo the speakers! Heck NO! I do not want a smart LCD on my wall. A self contained system that can connect to the net as an option but has all the wanted features already standalone in the device, yes.. I know I know, go back to the 90s ya say.. Ok, I would if I could

[@riaz8783]

Watched an entire review for something I'm not interested in purely because the host was so engaging.

[@war268]

Through it you can watch the video camera from the outside?

[@seaweedeable]

My friends have a Samsung refrigerator with an integrated smart screen ($3500) very similar to this and it is the coolest thing. I'm tempted but for most of us, we don't have a lot of wall space in our kitchens where I think most of us would use this. I'm still considering whether the pros outweigh the cons...? Thanks for the review!

[@austinlowell8829]

“I had to drill 4 holes to install this thing, renters most likely wont want to do that.” Like what…. Its WALL MOUNTED how you think the thing hangs there?? If it came with a command strip backing people would probably complain about having to peel the sticker off and raise their arms to apply it to the wall… smh

[@WanderlustWonderscape]

It might be useful if it had a full screen web browser that allowed you to access something like Home Assistant.

[@oliversmith7354]

This is powered by mediatek right? So affordable and a very convenient product

[@Djblois1]

Will the Widgets come out on the other Echo Show devices?

[@thebarbiecave5540]

I love it I place it on my vanity table and I watch videos as I get ready I don’t need my echo to host a whole concert for me lol 😝

[@ILIKEUALOT]

You didn't address the one thing that looks so neat about this, the fire tv built in. Maybe you dont like watching tv while in the kitchen but I do.

[@MikeJB6]

Can this view KZbin without having to do it via a browser as I have to in my Show 8?

[@antred4597]

It totally is easy to change from portrait to landscape with the dual included bracket

[@LikelyLagging]

If I can link my studios to this I will absolutely be buying I love it

[@benjaminlee3669]

Does this also come with mediatek support like the previous Echo Shows?

[@RonPoppe]

if they add native support for smart home things such as home assistant, add an ethernet port with poe to avoid power cables dangling this might be better

[@melissapatz4032]

Totally agree. The lack of third party widgets is a killer. I probably will not purchase this one. I would like a wall display that would work with Google Calendar.

[@Mattyboy88979]

you can rotate echo show 15 with just 4 holes once mounted for vertical side of template thats it you slide up remove the echo the turn horizontal and mount just like verticle

[@ThatsMrMaxHeadroomToYou]

It's a standard VISA mount on the back. Just buy a cheapo articulated VISA arm or a VISA desk stand. Simple.

[@vette-4-life]

Google needs something like this.

[@ae-holo5972]

I like the idea, but needs more work in my opinion, better speakers slimmer design, ability to have a rotating wall mount and have it move outward from the wall would be great.

[@eldhogeorge8725]

Yes I love smartdisplays on my wall with more features

[@MrMittens1974]

Maybe it would be an idea to rereview this as Amazon are adding all Fire TV functionality.

[@Flemingsofcolorado]

I’m only using it for ring cam, I have it installed by my bed as a surveillance screen.

[@JayDee-xj9lu]

Why oh why don't any of these smart displays have a external audio socket to connect it to a sound bar etc.

[@gtrscort1]

How did you get the cable to lay so straight?

[@WCephei77HD]

Good honest review, thanks!

[@heyDarren]

The home screen needs to be so much more customizable. And the calendar isn’t great… it also doesn’t update enough or scroll with the day.

[@deidraroberts9628]

I'm so excited to try this!

[@Doggieman1111]

Can't deal with that cable running up the wall...

[@edrianjude]

I am interested on this device. But I am more likely not gonna get it. I do like that I can add widgets on it but the benefits I will get from it is superseded by the benefits I will get from my echo show 10. The frame is a plus but speaker is worse and having the need to wall mount is problematic for me.

[@panther782]

Do you have to use facial and voice recognition?

[@smohan123]

Well written review. Swiveling older sibling. Nice

[@darrylharris6068]

I love it, as far as sound I Bluetooth to a soundbar and its amazing I think the camera is great, yes it could use more widgets but I'm sure Amazon will add more thur software update. She was not a good reviewer. I plan to purchase another one. I have it mounted at my front door wall it looks great.

[@Wsmith247]

you cant buy a dig photo frame this large for $250 so i think its priced right.

[@ATHIESHKUMAR]

What is the internal storage of Echo Show 15?

[@chemtype]

"I'm not trying to yuck your yum", amazing.

[@belovedpenguin]

Does this work wirelessly? Mine only shows the date and time wirelessly

[@LILC63]

The echo show 10 has the best sound system by far.

[@TheBumbleBeeGangster]

I think this review has realy missed the point of this device. It doesn’t seem like the device is aimed at renters or people buying their only echo device and wanting to watch shows or see recipes. Seems like it is more aimed at people who might want some kind of smart home control panel somewhere central in their house. Maybe placed near the main home door, main hallway or kitchen/family room. I think the speakers and camera are just added for the sake of being able to use the devices features, it doesn’t seem like the point of the device is to fill a whole room with sound or do long video calls. To me it seems like something you might get if you have already have few echo devices, a decent amount of money to spend and want a central control panel for the house

[@cdot.8492]

Thank you I was severely irritated with the review. It’s a big touch display. That’s the point. Not a sound boss.. it’s a great device that’s meant to be hub to the you existing Alexa devices. You want better sound buy a Alexa speaker not a display

[@cassidysanchez4425]

We can’t drill in your walls. Better off getting the new fire HD 10 and using command strips to mount it.